Assessment of intraoperative judgment during gynecologic surgery using the Script Concordance Test.

Abstract

We sought to develop a valid, reliable assessment of intraoperative judgment by residents during gynecologic surgery based on Script Concordance Theory. This was a multicenter prospective study involving 5 obstetrics and gynecology residency programs. Surgeons from each site generated case scenarios based on common gynecologic procedures. Construct validity was evaluated by correlating scores to training level, in-service examinations, and surgical skill and experience using a Global Rating Scale of Operative Performance and case volumes. A final test that included 42 case scenarios was administered to 75 residents. Internal consistency (Cronbach alpha = 0.73) and test-retest reliability (Lin correlation coefficient = 0.76) were good. There were significant differences between test scores and training levels (P = .002) and test scores correlated with in-service examination scores (r = 0.38; P = .001). There was no association between test scores and total number of cases or technical skills. The Script Concordance Test appears to be a reliable, valid assessment tool for intraoperative decision-making during gynecologic surgery.